Disinfecting Luer Cap With Variable Threads and Airtight Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing open female luer devices lack active disinfection capabilities and fail to provide an airtight seal, as conventional caps do not effectively disinfect the device surface during handling and administration of medications.
Innovation Solution
A disinfecting cap with a movable piston and variable thread height, designed to accommodate thread variance, provides an airtight and liquid-tight seal while actively disinfecting the device surface using a chamber filled with disinfectant, and is manufactured using a non-rotating mold process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional dead enders are used to cover OFL devices, then the devices are protected from contamination, but active disinfection of the device surface is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a liquid disinfectant as an intermediary substance between the cap and the OFL device surface. The disinfectant is delivered through a delivery mechanism that contacts the device surface, providing active disinfection while the cap structure maintains contamination protection. This mediator enables both protective and disinfecting functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap is pre-filled with liquid disinfectant before use. The disinfectant is prepared and positioned in advance within the cap structure, ready to be applied to the OFL device surface when needed. This preliminary preparation enables immediate disinfection action without requiring separate disinfectant application steps.
2Reliability
If threads are molded into the cap, then secure attachment is achieved, but thread damage may occur during manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The threads are pre-formed as integral features of the cap mold cavity before the actual cap manufacturing process. The mold includes built-in threading structures that automatically create corresponding threads in the cap during a single molding operation, eliminating subsequent threading operations that could damage the threads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical post-molding thread formation operations with a molded-in thread system. Instead of using mechanical tools to cut or form threads after cap production, the threading is created directly during the molding process through specialized mold cavity design, eliminating the risk of mechanical damage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If variable thread height is implemented, then accommodation of thread variance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cap incorporates threads of varying heights at different locations around the cap periphery. Specifically, some portions of the cap have longer threads while other portions have shorter threads, allowing the cap to accommodate OFL devices with different thread configurations. This localized variation in thread length provides adaptability without requiring complete redesign of the entire threading system.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable thread height design enables a single cap design to interface with multiple types of OFL devices that have different thread specifications. The cap universally accommodates various thread configurations by having some threads extend further than others, allowing one cap design to serve multiple device types without requiring separate specialized caps for each device variant.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The cap effectively disinfects the device surface and maintains a secure seal, accommodating thread variations across different manufacturers, ensuring sterility and functionality without damaging the threads during manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
The piston also comprises a top region configured to form a seal with an inner surface of the open distal end of the female luer device
Implementation Method 2
The piston further comprises a flexible circumferential skirt dimensioned to contact the wall of the chamber
Implementation Method 3
The chamber is configured to hold a liquid disinfectant
Implementation Method 4
The male post projects from the bottom towards the opening and comprises a taper corresponding to a taper of the female luer device
Implementation Method 5
A wall of the chamber comprises a thread originating proximate the opening and extending into the chamber. At least a portion of the thread has a height that increases as a function of increasing distance from the opening
Implementation Method 6
The movable piston comprises a central opening dimensioned to provide an interference fit with the male post
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a cap configured for removable attachment a medical device. The cap has a body with an opening, a bottom, and a chamber defined between the opening and the bottom. The cap has a wall of the chamber comprising a thread originating proximate the opening and extending into the chamber by a height. The height of the thread increases as a function of increasing distance from the opening. A liquid disinfectant is contained within the chamber.